![]() ![]() ![]() The Annales Cambriae, or 'Welsh Annals', probably compiled in the mid 10th century, record the date of one battle, the Battle of Badon in AD518, and Arthur's death at Camlann in AD537-9. The earliest version of this history is dated about AD829-830. The most important of the historical texts is the Historia Brittonum, the 'History of the Britons', which gives the earliest written record of Arthur who 'fought against them with the kings of the Britons but he himself was leader of Battles', winning twelve battles. The reference to Arthur in this source may be no earlier than the 9th century, but it demonstrates the fame of Arthur among the Welsh at this time. ![]() The poem is from the 6th century, when much of western Britain (Wales, northern England and southern Scotland) spoke Welsh the earliest surviving written form of the poem dates to the 13th century. The first mention of Arthur is thought to be a reference in a line from the poem, 'Y Gododdin', the earliest known work of literature in Welsh. Did Arthur really exist? What was he like? To find answers, it is necessary to look at two equally important sources of information: historical texts and archaeology. Tales and romances celebrated the king and his court in the imaginative literature of Europe. King Arthur has a strong link to Wales, but how much is known of the man and his times? ![]()
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